I loved this whole series as a kid, reading and rereading it over and over. But the first book in particular brought me back repeatedly because it combined too things I found really compelling: the shipwreck/island survival story and the race. I just loved reading that race as a kid, it felt so real, like I could see it. I haven't read this in years, so I'm not sure if it would hold up as an adult reader, but I definitely have very fond memories.